Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Everton 1-4 Brighton: Dismal Toffees thrashed by rampant Seagulls as Frank Lampard’s problems deepen
A new year brought no change in fortune for beleaguered Everton manager Frank Lampard as Goodison Park turned toxic after Brighton and Hove Albion recorded their biggest away win - 4-1 - in the Premier League.
Any sliver of confidence gained from the weekend’s creditable draw at Manchester City was shattered by a performance lacking guts and guile and justifiably greeted with loud boos.
It was typified by a catastrophic seven-minute spell at the start of the second half in which they conceded three soft goals to 18-year-old Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pascal Gross to add to Kaoru Mitoma’s early first-half strike.
Demarai Gray’s added-time penalty consolation merely prompted yet more chants of ‘Sack the board’. For the second successive home match the Toffees were booed off as a pivotal month in which they are required to, at the very least, beat fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham and make some new signings began in the worst possible fashion.
Relive you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton have kept possession of the ball for the opening few minutes. McNeil bursts down the right, finding Gray with a short pass. He then looked for someone in the middle of the box but recycled possession as nobody was there.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton get this Premier League clash under way. Gray has the first touch.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton have lost their first league game in each of the last five calendar years, including a 3-2 home loss to Brighton in 2022. It's their longest such run since losing their first league game in seven consecutive years between 1957 and 1963.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
As for Brighton, De Zerbi makes four changes to the team that lost to Arsenal. The first switch comes at right-back, with Veltman preferred ahead of Lamptey. Returning from suspension, Caicedo goes straight back into the team, meaning that Gilmour is on the bench. Scoring in his last two away games, Lallana is also out of the side, with Sarmiento playing behind the striker. Netting a consultation goal against the league leaders in the previous match, 18-year-old Ferguson leads the attack instead of Trossard. Back from winning the World Cup with Argentina, Mac Allister is on the bench.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton make two changes to the team that drew with Manchester City last time out. Frank Lampard switches from five defenders to four, adding an extra attacker to their starting side. Godfrey drops to the bench, with McNeil coming in on the right wing. Playing with two strikers in the last match, Gray moves to the left wing, leaving Calvert-Lewin to lead the line. The other alteration comes in the midfield, with the suspended Onana replaced by Davies.
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